IRB clarifies laws regarding “crocodile rolls” & other aspects

Initiated by Greenblooded

During the course of the year the IRB is called on to clarify grey areas of the law book. Below are a few of the interesting issues that have arisen in 2014.

The first ties in nicely with the “crocodile roll” (many names to define this), an increasingly popular method whereby a support player deals with a so called “jackal” from the defending team who’s already into a very low position over a tackled player and about to attempt a turnover, by gripping the “jackal” around his upper-body and rolling him over to the side. Here’s a short Youtube video of the technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzge8Hs1TN8.

When carried out properly, the roll is harmless but there are many instances when the player attempting the “roll” seems to grab his opponent above the shoulder area.

Law 15.5 and Law 16.3

The RFU requested clarification on two items of Law in the context of both the Sevens and Fifteens game:
1. Tackled player shifting body position before release
2. Ruck clear outs using “head rolls” or “body rolls”

Clarification in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee
For the avoidance of doubt there is only one set of Laws. The interpretations set out below stand for both the Sevens and Fifteens game:

In terms of the tackled player shifting body position before release, Law 15.5 (a) and 15.5 (e) should be considered:

(a) A tackled player must not lie on, over, or near the ball to prevent opponents from gaining possession of it, and must try to make the ball available immediately so that play can continue.

(e) If opposition players who are on their feet attempt to play the ball, the tackled player must release the ball.

In terms of ruck clearouts using “head rolls” and “body rolls”, this is not specifically referenced in Law. However, Law 10.4 (e) regarding dangerous play and misconduct should be applied to both the tackle and clear out:

“Dangerous tackling. A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. A player must not tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders. A tackle around the neck or head is dangerous play. Sanction: Penalty kick”

Therefore body rolls are permissible but head rolls should be penalised.

Law 6 – Law Amendment Trial – HIA (Head Injury Assessment) Protocol

The RFU requested clarification relating to the operation of the HIA protocol which we set out below:

1. Early notification of player not returning following HIA
Under the TMO protocols the temporary replacement for a player undergoing an HIA cannot kick for goal. If the player undergoing assessment does not return within ten minutes, the temporary replacement becomes permanent and the replacement is then permitted to kick for goal. If the fourth official is notified within ten minutes that the player has been assessed will not be returning, can the replacement then kick for goal before the ten minutes has elapsed?

IRB: If the fourth official is notified that a player who has undergone a HIA will not be returning, then the replacement can kick for goal before the ten minutes has elapsed.

2. Temporary replacement sent off
Our understanding is that if the replacement player is sent off then the player having an HIA assessment is not permitted to play any further part in the game i.e. he cannot act as a replacement for another player.

If this is correct then a red card issued to a player whilst he is acting as a temporary replacement potentially prevents two members of that team from participating further in the game; this does not seem equitable and is contrary to what is permitted if a front row player is temporarily replaced and his replacement is sent off. Is our understanding correct?

IRB: Understanding is incorrect. If a HIA temporary replacement is sent off then the player having an HIA assessment is permitted to take further part in the game (as long as he/ she passes the HIA) i.e. The HIA assessed player can act as a replacement for another player.

Law 12 – Knock-on

Law 12, definition states, “a knock-on occurs when a player loses possession of the ball and it goes forward, or when a player hits the ball forward with hand or arm, or when the ball hits the hand or arm and goes forward, and the ball touches the ground or another player before the original player can catch it.” The law does not explicitly cover scenarios where the ball is knocked-out of the grasp of a ball carrier.

We refer to ruling 4 of 2011 and believe the answer could come from this ruling.

Concern is expressed that this type of play may affect the game going forward as the “tackle” will be down played and the slapping, knocking the ball out of the ball carrier’s grasp will prevail.

However, for the sake of clarity and consistency of ruling by referees worldwide, in the following scenarios has a knock-on occurred?

1. A ball carrier from team red runs with the ball in the direction of team blue goal line, a defender/tackler from team blue attempts to tackle from behind and makes contact with his hand on the ball. This action caused the ball to be lost “forward” from the ball carrier. The last contact on the ball was that of the defender before it went forward. Is this a knock on by player red or a play on as the blue tackler knocked the ball back – similar to a rip, ruling 4 of 2011?

2. Same scenario as above but the defender/tackler does not make contact with the ball but his action causes the ball carrier from team Blue to loose possession of the ball and it travels forward. Please confirm that this is knock-on.

Clarification in Law by the Designated Members of the Rugby Committee
If a player in tackling an opponent makes contact with the ball and the ball goes forward from the ball carriers hands, that is a knock on.

If a player rips the ball or deliberately knocks the ball from an opponent’s hands and the ball goes forward from the ball carrier’s hands, that is not a knock on.